Critical Conversations: bridging pathways forward to greater understanding and creative solutions.

Critical Conversations

Bridging pathways forward to greater understanding and creative solutions.

These ongoing events and resources are provided to create space for and educate one another about our multiple cultural contexts, activism, civil discourse, and academic engagement. Events will be updated regularly on the Pratt.edu/events calendar and this page.

Upcoming and Ongoing Events

  1. Accessibility Town Hall 2024

    October 23, 2024 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

    Online and ARC E-02

    The image is a promotional flyer for an

  2. Inclusive Student Leadership Workshop Series (Part 2)

    October 23, 2024 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    This digital flyer promotes an

  3. “What Would Chisholm Do?”

    October 24, 2024 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

    Location TBD

    The image is a purple banner with white text and graphics for an event sponsored by the Shirley Chisholm Cultural Institute, Pratt Institute, and the Center for Equity and Inclusion. The left side features a stylized portrait of Shirley Chisholm surrounded by rays, symbolizing her impactful legacy. The center displays the Pratt Institute logo, and the right side shows the logo for the Center for Equity and Inclusion. Below these, four white chairs are lined up, suggesting a panel or discussion format.

  4. Navigating the Blurred Lines Between Offensive and Hate Speech

    October 24, 2024 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

    The Center for Equity & Inclusion

    This image is an event flyer for the

  5. Framing Displacement: Ways of Seeing, Ways of Being

    October 24, 2024 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

    Alumni Reading Room

    This flyer promotes an event titled

  6. School of Information 5th Annual Ethics and Technology Forum

    October 25, 2024 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM

    Pratt Manhattan Center room 201

    The cover for

  7. Ask Us Anything – Q & A with Title IX

    October 30, 2024 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM

    Student Union

    This image features a dynamic promotional poster for an

  8. Engaging in Safe and Effective Activism

    November 4, 2024 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
    Event poster titled

  9. Grounding Practices to Prepare for Election Results

    November 5, 2024 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

    Student Union

    A serene and beautifully designed event poster titled

  10. Election Day

    November 5, 2024 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

    Student Union

    A warm and inviting promotional poster for

  11. Lecture: Professor Curry J. Hackett

    November 7, 2024 6:15 PM – 7:15 PM

    Higgins Hall Auditorium

    This image is a panoramic collage featuring people adorned in intricate plant-based costumes. The left side of the image showcases individuals covered in large daisies, with their faces partially obscured by the flowers. They walk down a street with buildings in the background, creating a contrast between the urban setting and their organic attire. Moving to the center and right side of the image, the scene transitions to figures wearing costumes made of massive, broad green leaves. These individuals appear solemn, surrounded by nature while riding in a vehicle, as others hold leafy branches and floral arrangements. The juxtaposition of their natural, plant-like garb and the urban environment is striking, with the city's buildings, cars, and streets adding a contemporary backdrop to the artistic, organic display.

  12. Black Dress Talks: Beauty

    November 14, 2024 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

    Online and Higgins Hall

    The image is a promotional flyer for the

Past Events

  1. Demian DinéYazhi: “Strategic Defense Mechanisms,” Artist Talk

    October 21, 2024 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

    Dock 72 in the Brooklyn Navy Yard

  2. The Influence of Identity: Women Making Their Mark

    October 20, 2024 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

  3. Afrosurrealism in Weeksville

    October 18, 2024 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

    Weeksville Heritage Center

  4. Inclusive Student Leadership Workshop Series (Part 1)

    October 16, 2024 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    This digital flyer promotes an

  5. Phonographies of Race: The Politics of Picturing Jazz

    October 16, 2024 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM

    ARC E-02

    Black and white painting of a jazz band.

  6. School of Art Dean’s Workshops Fall ’24, Artist as Storyteller: Perception, Perspective and the Narrative Image

    October 16 – October 21, 2024 All Day

    Various

    A group of children in school uniforms stand in two rows, observing large triangular mirror-like structures in an open indoor space with brick walls. The children are mostly wearing light brown and yellow clothing, with some wearing headscarves. The room has high ceilings and natural light.

  7. Understanding the new Title IX, Nondiscrimination, and Anti-Harassment Policy

    October 15, 2024 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
    A promotional flyer for a Title IX policy session from the Office of Institutional Equity & Title IX. The flyer has a bold black and yellow striped border. The main text reads

  8. Dignity in Design

    October 15, 2024 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

  9. What is Freedom of Expression at Pratt

    October 10, 2024 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

    Location TBD

    The image is a promotional poster titled

  10. The Art of Politics: Voting Basics & Creative Approaches to Civic Engagement

    October 10, 2024 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

    Alumni Reading Room

    An educational poster titled

  11. Overcoming Election Anxiety: Livestream and Reflection

    October 10, 2024 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM

    Student Union – Pool Lounge

    A tranquil event poster for

  12. Drag Out The Vote

    October 8, 2024 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

    Student Union

    A vibrant promotional poster for

  13. Mental Health and Political Participation: How to have difficult conversations

    October 8, 2024 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

    Student Union

  14. Movie Night: Selma

    October 7, 2024 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

    Student Union

    A promotional poster for

  15. WAST[ED] – Producing with Waste

    October 7, 2024 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM

    THE CENTER FOR ARCHITECTURE

    Event poster titled WAST[ED] with the background image showing a pile of food waste.

  16. A Garden of Connection and Color

    October 7, 2024 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

    Student Union 107

  17. Amplify Student Voices

    October 5, 2024 All Day

    Time and Location TBD

  18. Understanding the Title IX, Nondiscrimination, and Anti-Harassment Policy

    October 3, 2024 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
    The image features a poster with a bold design, using a black and yellow diagonal striped background. Text on the poster reads:

  19. Vice-Presidential Debate Screenings

    October 1, 2024 9:00 PM – 10:30 PM

    Residents can watch the debate in Emerson, ELJ/Pantas, and Willoughby. Additionally, the Alumni Reading Room is screening the debate, too!

    A promotional poster for

  20. DESIGN ADVOCATES Michael K. Chen, MKCA Fauzia Khanani, Studio For Abigail Coover, Overlay Office Jane Lea, Lea Architecture Nicholas McDermott, Future Expansion Alexandra Barker, BAAO

    September 30, 2024 6:15 PM – 8:15 PM

    Higgins Hall Auditorium, 61 St James Place, Brooklyn NY, 11238

    Image of 2 designers working on a pin-up board

  21. How to Engage in Activism Safely and Effectively

    September 26, 2024 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
    A promotional poster titled

  22. One Million Experiments

    September 25, 2024 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

    Higgins Hall
    61 St. James Place
    Brooklyn, NY 11238

    A highly abstract graphic with swirling, dynamic shapes that resemble soft fabric or liquid motion. The image primarily consists of dark purple, black, and gray tones with a granular, textured appearance, adding a sense of depth and dimension. The purple shapes dominate the center of the image, gradually blending into darker shades at the edges, creating a striking, almost hypnotic visual effect. The overall composition gives a fluid, organic feeling, with soft, curved lines and gradients that flow together, evoking a sense of movement and abstract energy.

  23. Creating Social, Cultural, and Political Change Art Show

    September 23 – October 14, 2024 All Day

    Student Union

    This poster promotes an art show titled Creating Social, Cultural, and Political Change running from September 23 to October 14. The background image includes abstract, bold shapes and dynamic movements that communicate a focus on activism through art. This show encourages artists and viewers to engage with meaningful and transformative works around societal change.

  24. Behind the Curtain: Barriers to Voting and Voter Suppression

    September 23 – September 27, 2024 All Day

    Center for Equity and Inclusion

    A compelling graphic designed to promote a series titled

  25. School of Art X Independent Curators International / Collaborative and transcultural Artistic Practices

    September 20, 2024 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM

    Memorial Hall

    A woman wearing oversized black glasses and a green and black geometric-patterned blouse is smiling in an outdoor setting with a blurred background of green foliage.

  26. Our Dirty Footprint: Cohabiting the Planet with our Waste

    September 19, 2024 6:15 PM – 8:15 PM

    Higgins Hall Auditorium

    Image of Lydia London - the speaker.

  27. First Year Conversations: Building Community

    September 17, 2024 12:30 PM – 1:50 PM

    Student Union

    A digital poster promoting a

  28. Understanding the Title IX, Nondiscrimination, and Anti-Harassment Policy

    September 17, 2024 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
    The image features a poster with a bold design, using a black and yellow diagonal striped background. Text on the poster reads:

  29. Coffee and Constitution Day Tabling

    September 17, 2024 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

    Rose Garden

    The image is a poster for

  30. The Social Dilemma Screening and Discussion

    September 16, 2024 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM

    ARC E-02

    A black rectangle on a red background reads

  31. The Stuart Hall Project

    September 12, 2024 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

    e-flux Screening Room, 172 Classon Avenue Brooklyn

    John Akomfrah, The Stuart Hall Project (still), 2013.

  32. Watch Presidential Debate at Pratt Manhattan Center

    September 10, 2024 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

    Pratt Manhattan Center room 201

  33. Student Feedback Tabling

    September 9, 2024 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

    Student Union

  34. Student Feedback Tabling

    September 4, 2024 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM

    Pratt Manhattan Campus (PMC)

  35. Pieces of You, Pieces of Me

    August 5 – September 28, 2024 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

    Rubelle and Norman Schafler Gallery, Chemistry Building, 1st Floor, 200 Willoughby Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205

    A geometric and abstract painting with a symmetrical face-like design. The artwork consists of various colorful, intersecting lines and shapes, forming a complex pattern. The colors include shades of brown, blue, orange, and purple, creating a visually striking and intricate composition.

  36. Call for Participants – Art of Difficult Conversations Summer Cohort

    May 1 – May 3, 2024 12:00 PM – 12:00 PM

  37. Leadership Title VI Training from DOE Office of Civil Rights

    April 26, 2024 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

  38. Bystander Intervention to Stop Islamophobic and Xenophobic Harassment

    April 17, 2024 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM

    Center for Equity & Inclusion
    Hosted by Right To Be

  39. Bystander Intervention to Stop Anti-Semitic Harassment

    April 16, 2024 4:00 PM – 5:15 PM

    Center for Equity & Inclusion
    Hosted by Right To Be

  40. Institutional Equity Lunch and Learn for Faculty and Staff

    April 16, 2024 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

  41. Activism Workshop for Students

    April 9, 2024 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

    Pratt Institute

  42. Title IX Lunch and Learn for Faculty and Staff

    April 9, 2024 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

  43. Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy Lunch & Learn Session for Students

    April 4, 2024 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

    Pratt Institute

  44. Activism Workshop for Students

    March 28, 2024 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM

    Pratt Institute

  45. Academic Senate Exhibition – “Textile Reflections on Academic Freedom”

    March 25 – May 15, 2024 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM

    Ground floor of Pratt Institute Library

    image of tapestries, made out of upcycled military materials

  46. Leadership Title VI Training from DOE Office of Civil Rights

    December 5, 2023 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

    Founders Room

  47. Bridging Compassion: A Listening Circle on the War in the Middle East

    November 14, 2023 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

    The Center for Equity and Inclusion (CEI) – Main Building, Rm. 004